MOUNT VERNON — “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” is Jacob Marley’s version of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” and is told from his viewpoint.
The cast includes Jordan Rogers, Grace Mowery, Joseph Lewis and Ira Mowery who will tell the tale of Marley’s heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge’s soul, and his own life. It is an irreverent, funny and moving story.
The cast shows a lot of warmth, enthusiasm and zest in telling this alternate point of view. They work well together and don’t miss a beat. Each actor plays multiple parts. The major characters are: Rogers as Marley, Grace Mowrey as Bogel, Louis as old and young Scrooge and Ira Mowrey as Bob Cratchit.
Although the play starts out a bit slowly and takes some time getting to the point, it finally takes off and is worth the wait. And the ending will also be worth the wait.
Marley finds himself, at the beginning of the play, in a place he is not terribly surprised to be, Hades. He is shown around by Bogel, a new character created for this play, and he doesn’t like it. He and Bogel return to the “Gatekeeper” to see if he can put in for a transfer. Here the fun begins. He is told, yes, he can, if he signs the proper forms. Sign here, here, here, here and here. Marley does this without reading the form, at least not until he is finished signing. He is aghast to find out that he is to save his old business partner, Scrooge, if he is to be eligible for the transfer.
“Scrooge? I have to redeem old Scrooge? The one man I knew who was worse than I was? Impossible.”
The play sifts Dickens’ plot into Marley’s previously undisclosed history. Marley’s objective thereafter becomes not just Scrooge’s redemption, but his own.
Rogers gets Marley just the right amount of misanthropy and, ultimately, urgency to get his job done.
Grace Mowrey is a combination of naivety and “worldliness” as she guides Marley through his task. Lewis gets down the young and old Scrooge showing the transformation of that character and Ira Mowrey does a great Bob Cratchit, along with numerous minor characters.
The play is suggested for ages 12 and over and makes a very nice outing for the family.
The production is directed by Ira Mowery.
A dinner theater is offered today, Saturday, and Dec. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are available on Dec. 11, Dec. 12, Dec. 18 and 19, at 2:30 p.m.
The theater location is at 156 Howard St., Mount Vernon.
Tickets are available at both Sips locations, by calling 392-SHOW (7469) or online at www.heartofohiotheater.com.
